Outer Banks begins clean up after Hurricane Sandy

Debris from a sea wall and a damaged pier litters a parking lot at Avalon Pier in Kill Devil Hills, N.C., Monday, Oct. 29, 2012 after Hurricane Sandy's wind and storm surge moved into the Outer Banks area. Hurricane Sandy continued on its path Monday, as the storm forced the shutdown of mass transit, schools and financial markets, sending coastal residents fleeing, and threatening a dangerous mix of high winds and soaking rain. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

The Associated Press

By The Associated Press

Published: Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 10:27 AM.

KILL DEVIL HILLS — People on North Carolina's Outer Banks are facing some flooding and damage from Hurricane Sandy, but emergency management officials say it could have been worse.

The Category 1 hurricane brought light rain and winds to the North Carolina coast Monday. Most counties reported no major damage or storm-related injuries, although some roads were flooded, including N.C. Highway 12 — a major thoroughfare.

North Carolina Transportation Department spokeswoman Greer Beaty said the highway was closed Tuesday until crews inspect the road. She said there's sand and water on parts of the highway, and workers are looking for other possible damage.

She said crews also are conducting an on-site inspection of the Bonner Bridge, which spans Oregon Inlet and connects Hatteras Island to the mainland. Inspectors will evaluate the condition of the top part of the bridge and determine how it fared during the storm.

Transportation official say it will likely be Wednesday before inspectors can safely get in boats and examine the water depth around the bridge's support columns. They will also determine how the sand under the bridge has shifted since the storm passed along the Outer Banks.

Ferry service is currently the only way to move people in and out of the area. At least two ferries are up and running.

Currituck County Emergency Management spokesman Randall Edwards said most of the roads in his county were passable. He said the skies were clearing Tuesday morning, though it was windy.

KILL DEVIL HILLS — People on North Carolina's Outer Banks are facing some flooding and damage from Hurricane Sandy, but emergency management officials say it could have been worse.

The Category 1 hurricane brought light rain and winds to the North Carolina coast Monday. Most counties reported no major damage or storm-related injuries, although some roads were flooded, including N.C. Highway 12 — a major thoroughfare.

North Carolina Transportation Department spokeswoman Greer Beaty said the highway was closed Tuesday until crews inspect the road. She said there's sand and water on parts of the highway, and workers are looking for other possible damage.

She said crews also are conducting an on-site inspection of the Bonner Bridge, which spans Oregon Inlet and connects Hatteras Island to the mainland. Inspectors will evaluate the condition of the top part of the bridge and determine how it fared during the storm.

Transportation official say it will likely be Wednesday before inspectors can safely get in boats and examine the water depth around the bridge's support columns. They will also determine how the sand under the bridge has shifted since the storm passed along the Outer Banks.

Ferry service is currently the only way to move people in and out of the area. At least two ferries are up and running.

Currituck County Emergency Management spokesman Randall Edwards said most of the roads in his county were passable. He said the skies were clearing Tuesday morning, though it was windy.

In Carteret County, Emergency Management spokeswoman Joann Smith said there was standing water on some roads. Hyde County also reported no homes were flooded.

In other counties, emergency management officials are still assessing the damage.